Dani Chambers talks voicing Yutori in Tomodachi Game (Interview)

Dani Chambers spoke to The Natural Aristocrat about voicing Yutori Kokorogi in the Tomodachi Game English Dub.

Chambers told us she was voice matched for Yutori by another actress for the Episode 3 Simuldub since she was sick. Then later went back to redub it.

This interview with Dani Chambers contains spoilers for the Tomodachi Game anime series.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT (NIR REGEV): What was the transition like in the recording booth switching from a family friendly anime series in Aharen-san wa Hakarenai to Tomodachi Game?

DANI CHAMBERS: It was interesting switching between those two because sometimes I would record for both shows in one day.

So it would be a little weird. I think in episode three (“There’s No Way I’d Believe That“) where they kind of go into Yutori Kokorogi’s backstory.

It was actually a different voice actress who recorded the simuldub for the episode that aired because I got sick and it was bad.

So they had to voice match me for that episode. But then I went back to redub it.

I missed the big part which dealt with why she does what she does. And it was rough. It was very rough.

I’m fortunate not to have to been in that situation. I just kind of had to act it to the best of my ability. But it was fine recording for it.

It wasn’t hard or anything. I just had to still make sure I had a smile on my face at the end of the session.

Tomodachi Game has such an interesting premise, it reminds me of Danganronpa and also Squid Game, the money debt part.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What was your original audition like for Yutori Kokorogi?

Yutori Kokorogi and Yuuichi Katagiri in Tomodachi Game – Photo Credit: ©Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato, KODANSHA/ “Tomodachi Game” Production Committee.

DANI CHAMBERS: Oh shoot, what did I do? I wasn’t sure how to do this one because Jad (Saxton) was directing it. I wasn’t sure what she was looking for.

So I kind of just went with my gut. I did a sweet, innocent little baby girl and kind of went with that.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What are your thoughts on Yutori Kokorogi paying off her bullies and being happy to do it?

Yutori Kokorogi in Tomodachi Game – Photo Credit: ©Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato, KODANSHA/ “Tomodachi Game” Production Committee.

DANI CHAMBERS: It was so sad. Just to get people to leave you alone, you have to pay them and go into debt because they won’t stop. It’s super sad.

Unfortunately, there are people like that who will take advantage of of people who just want to be left alone. It’s heartbreaking.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: After Yuuichi Katagiri brutally rejects Yutori Kokorogi for not coming to his side post-murder revelation… She becomes desperate for his affection again.

Yutori Kokorogi and Yuuichi Katagiri in Tomodachi Game – Photo Credit: ©Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato, KODANSHA/ “Tomodachi Game” Production Committee.

Do you feel it’s Yutori’s low self esteem that makes her desperately try to win Yuuichi back? Or Yutori’s romantic feelings for Yuuichi were so strong they overcame both the murder history and in-your-face rejection?

DANI CHAMBERS: I feel it says more about her self-esteem because yes, she confessed that she likes him… But I honestly don’t think she actually likes him.

I think it’s more seeing him as her protector. Because he’s conveniently doing it, she latches on feelings to make it seem like she likes him. But I don’t know.

Yutori Kokorogi and Yuuichi Katagiri in Tomodachi Game – Photo Credit: ©Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato, KODANSHA/ “Tomodachi Game” Production Committee.

I haven’t read the manga farther than what the show has done. I think Yutori does care for him. It’s probably the first time she’s felt true affection from somebody.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Do you feel Yutori considered her ‘big secret’ could lead to even more bullying long-term in high school?

DANI CHAMBERS: Sometimes when people are desperate for something, they don’t think about the consequences because they’re going off of their own survival.

Whether if it’s from trauma they’d experienced in their life or as a defense mechanism they use to survive. People don’t always think about consequences, we’re trying to make things work for us.

Yutori Kokorogi in Tomodachi Game – Photo Credit: ©Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato, KODANSHA/ “Tomodachi Game” Production Committee.

Whether it be good or bad, we don’t think about it. She’s trying to survive. Not realizing that, ‘Oh shoot, if this gets out, I’m going to be a laughing stock and people will ridicule me for my whole high school life.’

Shiho Sawaragi, Tenji Mikasa, Yutori Kokorogi and Yuuichi Katagiri in Tomodachi Game. Photo Credit: ©Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato, KODANSHA/ “Tomodachi Game” Production Committee.

– Be sure to read our prior Dani Chambers interview on voicing Reina Aharen

– You can watch all 12 episodes of Tomodachi Game Season 1, dubbed and subbed, right now as a subscriber to the Crunchyroll Streaming Service.

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Yutori Kokorogi and Shiho Sawaragi in Tomodachi Game – Photo Credit: ©Mikoto Yamaguchi, Yuki Sato, KODANSHA/ “Tomodachi Game” Production Committee.

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